The battle at Gettysburg was a game changing military endeavor between the Northern and Southern states during the Civil War in 1863. The ambitious campaign saw many casualties by each side and showed the great determination felt by the men who fought to the end for their cause. A campaign bringing to light the many principles of war utilized and from which generations following have learned many great lessons.
There were many causes of the Civil War whereby brother fought against brother, neighbor against neighbor, but a principal cause was the institution of slavery. America had grown and expanded in technology, trade, commerce and many other ways, but the mentality of some Americans regarding slavery had begun to change in opposition to that barbaric custom. This transformation occurred within the Northern part of the U.S., but not so much in the South where people's livelihood depended on slavery for its agricultural needs. .
Southern politicians defended slavery knowing that they needed to keep control of the government and having slavery taken away. But after President Lincoln, a known opponent to slavery, was elected president in 1861, Southerners felt threatened that control was slipping away and the issue came to the forefront with Southern states seceding from the Union. Northerners believed that slavery was morally improper and that it should not be allowed in their country while Southerners believed that it was their right and that no one should tell them that their long-held customs and traditions were wrong. People began to feel a certain patriotism and desire to defend their way of life and the place from where they belonged. Men decidedly picked up and signed up for war in order to defend their cause. .
During Lincoln's inauguration, he announced that secession would not be accepted and that resolution of this national issue would be achieved, hopefully without war.